IGS: Real Time Worlds signs with Microsoft for Xbox 360 titles

Scottish development studio Real Time Worlds has become the latest UK company to sign a deal with Microsoft Game Studios, with "a number" of games currently in development exclusively for Xbox 360.

The partnership was announced this morning in London by Microsoft corporate vice president Peter Moore, who delivered the opening keynote address at the ELSPA International Games Summit.

Real Time Worlds is headed up by former DMA Design (now Rockstar North) boss Dave Jones, who was a key creative force behind titles including Lemmings and the Grand Theft Auto franchise.

The announcement confirms long-standing rumours that Microsoft is working with Jones on the creation of a new, Xbox 360 exclusive franchise. The developer's only previously announced title is a massively multiplayer game, All Points Bulletin, which is being published by Korean firm Webzen and is due to launch in 2007.

No details have yet been revealed of the titles in question, but according to Moore, additional information about the games will be released in the coming weeks.

Real Time Worlds joins a group of UK developers who are seen as crucial to Microsoft's launch window for the Xbox 360 - defined by Moore as "around 90 days post launch" - including wholly-owned subsidiary Rare, which is developing Perfect Dark Zero and Kameo: Elements of Power, and Bizarre Creations, which is working on Project Gotham Racing 3.